How do hybrid cars recharge the battery on highways?
Cam D asked:
My understanding is that hybrid cars recharge their batteries while braking, but what happens if you drive a long time on the highway where there’s relatively little braking? Does the battery die and you have to use the gas engine only until it recharges?
Kent
My understanding is that hybrid cars recharge their batteries while braking, but what happens if you drive a long time on the highway where there’s relatively little braking? Does the battery die and you have to use the gas engine only until it recharges?
Kent
December 4th, 2008 at 4:48 am
the battery charge when the car is moving not braking
December 4th, 2008 at 9:42 am
The electric part of the hybrid vehicle is only used in town for stop and go or low speed operation. Most hybrids use their gasoline engines for highway driving, and while the gasoline engine is running, it also recharges the batteries.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
When you drive on a hyway the engine is the primary electrical generator.
December 6th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
THE ELECTRIC MOTOR ONLY WORKS ON TAKE OFF
THATS THE REASON BETTER GAS MILAGE IN TOWN
THE GAS ENGINE RECHARGES THE BATTERY WHILE DRIVING
December 8th, 2008 at 11:32 am
On some hybrids the engine can also be used as generator to recharge the batteries. The batteries are charged also when the vehicle is just coasting. Furthermore, their isn’t much demand on the electric motor at highways speeds because the gasoline engine is doing most of the work. The electric motor is mostly used in stop and go conditions…..this is why hybrids get better fuel mileage in the city than on the highway ( which is the opposite of conventional vehicles).
December 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am
It depends the hybrid you’re driving, but on good hybrids the battery is charged on the highway by the rolling motion of the wheels. It is not enough to power the car using the battery alone, but it is enough to provide enough power that most hybrids still get better highway mileage than their gas-only counterparts. A hybrid battery will virtually never die because there is always something charging it, whether you are braking or just simply moving. The most charge goes to the battery when you are rolling downhill and not pressing on the gas.